Lucy Allen Coppedge

Lucy Allen Coppedge (neé McDonald), 85, passed away September 27, 2024, at Hospice Center of Chattanooga surrounded by loved ones. Born June 23, 1939 in Knoxville, Tennessee, Lucy called many places home but her heart was always in Middle Tennessee. She had lived in Chattanooga since 2015.

Lucy grew up in Gallatin and maintained a strong community of family and friends there her entire life. However, her work and family led her to make a positive contribution to many communities. From social work in a troubled Atlanta, to community and political service in Columbia, TN, to launching an art gallery in Wyoming to supporting senior services in Nashville, Lucy was an active and passionate advocate and a good friend to so many.

Lucy had a profound passion for nature and was an avid animal lover. Lucy always had a house full of pets (most recently her beloved cat Izzy). She proudly sponsored Grizzly Bear 399 and her cubs, contributing to the conservation of Yellowstone National Park. Ever the one to live up to the nickname of Lucky Lucy, she was a preferred poker player in Las Vegas and never turned down the opportunity to test her luck on a scratch-off lottery card.

Lucy is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Needham Coppedge.

She is survived by her daughters Debora Guthrie and Nancy Clemmer, son Rob Coppedge, stepson Bill Coppedge and their families including 10 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Lucy’s ashes will be interned in Gallatin Cemetery at a later date and she will be remembered by her family in various places around the country that she loved and called home.

For those who wish to celebrate Lucy’s life, we encourage you to donate Grand Teton National Park Foundation, https://www.gtnpf.org/donate/ or Best Friends, https://bestfriends.org/?form=FUNLJQZPGEN, to continue to make this world as beautiful as Lucy envisioned it.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com

Chattanooga Funeral Home East Chapel, 404 S. Moore Rd., East Ridge, TN., has been entrusted with Lucy’s arrangements.